Illinois Real ID: Here’s An Update To The May 7th Deadline

Maybe you didn't realize it, but the topic and discussion of REAL ID and when to implement it has been going on since back in May of 2005. That was when President Bush signed the REAL ID Act into law. Its purpose was and is to enhance US travel requirements by establishing minimum security standards for driver's licenses and state ID cards.

The problem is that we can't seem to set a deadline for compliance that we'll stick to here in Illinois, or anywhere else in the country. Actually, we can and do set deadlines, we've done it for years...then we move them a year down the road.

So, is May 7th, 2025 a hard deadline to have a Real ID card here in Illinois? Well, about that...

Since Being Signed Into Law In 2005, The REAL ID Deadline Has Been Extended Several Times, With The Last Three Extensions Being Caused By The Pandemic And Its Aftermath

However, as you can see, at least 3 of those deadline delays began over 10 years before the pandemic stopped everything in its tracks.

• 2009
• 2011
• 2014
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2024
• And now, maybe 2025 and 2026, too.

Keep in mind that the state of Illinois had nothing to do with the previous delays, and it won't be Illinois' fault if we get another deadline extension...which looks as though there's a very good chance it could happen.

The Current Deadline To Have Your Illinois REAL ID Ready To Go Is May 7th Of 2025, But Some Changes To The System By The Federal Government Might Force The Deadline To Be Moved Not One, But Two Years

Under the rules of the REAL ID Act of 2005, US travelers will need an updated driver's license, ID card, or provide other documentation before they can board domestic flights, enter nuclear power plants, or access certain federal buildings. Currently, the deadline for enforcement next May has not changed, but there's every chance it might.

To explain why, you have to know what "mDLs" are. mDLs are mobile driver's licenses, or digitized versions of the information on physical driver’s licenses and identification cards, that are stored on mobile electronic devices, like your smartphone.

Here's What MDLs Have To Do With Changing The REAL ID Deadline

It's a little complicated, especially when you have to slog through "government speech" to figure out the details.

Here's the official word from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

The REAL ID Act and regulations prohibit Federal agencies, including TSA, from accepting for REAL ID “official purposes” mDLs that are not REAL ID-compliant when REAL ID enforcement begins on May 7, 2025.  On October 25, 2024, TSA published amendments to the REAL ID regulations to enable individuals to continue using for official purposes non-compliant mDLs that are issued by States to whom TSA has granted a waiver.  States that seek a waiver must submit an application TSA.

From now through May 6, 2025, TSA will continue accepting, for official purposes, non-compliant mDLs issued by certain States without a waiver at participating airports. Visit www.tsa.gov/digital-id for a list of eligible states and participating airports.

The bottom line here is: You should get your Real ID taken care of sooner rather than later, but if you don't, it looks like hard enforcement won't be happening at Illinois' airports for a couple more years.